Barcelona are reportedly considering signing Arsenal right-back Héctor Bellerin.
Bellerin is set to make a move this summer after spending last season on loan at Real's Betis. The 27-year-old was happy to leave the north London club and hopes to return to Seville, where he helped Betis to win the Copa del Rey.
However, Betis' financial situation is such thatArsenal cannot afford to pay Bellerin's demanded price, or his wages are subject to La Liga's strict financial fairs where he plays his rules. means that it cannot be adapted to While Udinese have their hats in the ring, a return toBarcelonais also looming. Bellerin started his career before moving to Arsenal in 2011 at the age of 16.
Sport said strengthening the right-back position was one of Xavi Hernández's priorities before the summer transfer window closed. After missing top target Cesar Azpilicueta, he said: He has his eye on Villarreal's Juan Foyth and Borussia Dortmund's Thomas Meunier. However, both players will be given a price tag that Barça simply cannot pay.
Foyth has a €42m (£35m) release clause for him, while Meunier is priced at around €15m (£12m). That's where Bellerin comes in as "Plan B." The Spaniard is in , the final year of his contract with the Gunners, and already knows his style of play for Barça via his academy at La Ramía.
He is being considered, and the clock is ticking towards his September 1 transfer deadline, looking increasingly attractive. Barça are looking to sell Sergino his Dest to Manchester United his manager Erik Ten his Hague coaching him at Ajax and the sale will free up space for Bellerin.
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Stuart MacFarlane/Getty Images)Arsenal are demanding a commensurate transfer fee for Bellerin. However, they were able to release Pablo Mari, Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Nuno Tavares, Alex Lunarson and Konstantinos Mavropanos on loan or on permanent contracts this summer, soBellerinto compromise and allow the move to Spain.
Bellerin's agent was recently in London trying to negotiate a way out of the club before the windows closed. The Spanish defender was thought to be keen to end his contract early to facilitate a move elsewhere, a method Arsenal had previously admitted to considering.
Arsenal technical director Edu recently explained that he would consider ending his contract. "I know it hurts, I find it strange to go to the board and say, 'Sometimes it's better to pay a player to leave than to keep a player.' "But I think of it as an investment. Sometimes people say 'expensive.' I say, 'No, it's an investment.' But if I sell it, will someone pay for it? No, folks - if a player isn't performing beyond his 26, 27 years, high pay, no chance.
Bellerin has been on Arsenal's pre-season tour and training with the team. , Ben White played out of position at right-back in both matches, so he is not in either matchday team.
